Everybody’s familiar with the Chanel’s, Dior’s, and YSL’s of the fragrance world. But what if you don’t want to smell like everybody else?
Why Niche Fragrance?
Enter the world of niche fragrance– a world of exclusive, small-batch perfumes created by expert perfumers. The goal of a niche fragrance house is quality over quantity, and to push creative boundaries by offering a more personalized olfactory experience.
If you’re ready to transition from classic department store favorites and discover a world of artful, quality, and sometimes eccentric fragrances; this guide is here to help. Additionally, we’re going to introduce you to 6 carefully curated niche alternatives to beloved designer fragrances, just to get you started on your niche fragrance journey.
How To Get Into Niche Fragrances
Step 1: There’s a Whole World Out There, So Get Smelling!
The first step to entering the world of niche fragrance is to get a general sense of what smells you enjoy. The easiest way to do this? Start smelling! Do you love:
- The earthy aroma of wet grass after a rainstorm?
- The smokiness of a flannel blanket after a bonfire?
- The freshness of a towel straight from the dryer?
From here, think about the beauty and skincare products you already own. Your body wash, your shampoo, etc. What smells pique your interest? Do you gravitate towards more floral or more clean smelling soaps?
Remember, the foundations of your favorite fragrances might be found in the past. Scent is closely linked to memory, so think about the scents that have evoked strong memories and emotions throughout your life.
- What scents make you feel warm, fuzzy, and nostalgic?
- What smells bring you back to your childhood?
Here's your starting point. These notes can guide you to fragrance families that match your tastes.
Step 2: Find the Note
Every fragrance is made up of several individual notes, or a specific scent, such as peach, jasmine, or leather. After following step 1, you should be able to pick out a few of your favorites. Many online perfume retailers such as Smallflower.com have an option to shop by scent, allowing you to narrow down fragrances by note.
- If you love the smell of fresh-baked cookies: then you might prefer fragrances with vanilla notes.
- If you need a fresh bouquet of flowers on the kitchen table every spring, then you probably would enjoy a fragrance with magnolia or geranium notes.
After you’re able to name a few of your favorite notes, sites like Fragrantica can help you explore different scent compositions and find fragrances that match your preferences.
Step 3: Get Weird With It
After you know your notes, get creative! Think about the specific vibe you want to convey through your fragrance: who do you want to be?
- Do you dream of living on Martha’s Vineyard, with sea salt in your hair and your body draped in warm linen?
- Or perhaps, do you often imagine yourself walking the rainy streets of Berlin, taking in the street art with a cigarette in hand?
No matter your aesthetic, there’s a niche fragrance out there that can reflect it.
Step 4: Start Shopping!
After you’ve narrowed down who you are and what you like, it’s time to start shopping!
You can head to a counter-service store (like our very own Merz Apothecary!) that’s staffed with fragrance experts who can help you narrow down fragrances and niche brands.
From here, you can shop sample sets from your newly discovered brands to test out a variety of fragrances.
You can also shop online from subscription services like Scentbird or sample sellers like us(!) at Smallflower.com where you can test out scents without buying a large, expensive bottle.
Feel free to bring in another fragrance or sample of a scent you already love into a counter-service store, so an expert can help you find a niche alternative.
6 Niche Alternative to Classic Department Store Favorites
If you love designer fragrances but want a more exclusive scent, try these niche fragrance alternatives:
If You Like Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, You’ll Like Drink Caffe by Hilde Soliani
Ah yes, the sweet, comforting smell of coffee and vanilla. We like it too. So does Italian gourmand queen Hilde Soliani. Her fragrance Drink Caffe shares the same rich, vanilla-y notes as Black Opium, but with a creamy, adult sophistication. The first spritz will deliver a delightful foaminess that eventually dries down into a mellow musk that lasts all day long.
If You Like Chanel Mademoiselle, You’ll Like Velvet Haze by Byredo
Citrus, Woody, Patchouli, what do these three words have in common? They’re the central notes in both Chanel Medemoiselle and Velvet Haze by Byredo. Velvet Haze is opulent, feverish, psychedelic, and yet still a great everyday wear. It’s like if little miss mademoiselle grew up, moved to Aruba, and threw the greatest beachfront party you’ve ever been to.
If You Like Chanel No. 5, You’ll Like Exit the King by Etat Libre D’Orange
Clean, yet aldehydic and complex, both Chanel No. 5 and Exit the King are classy editions to any fragrance collection. Exit the King is an immaculate blend of petals in overdose, clean foam and tree moss, contrasted with patchouli on a milky skin of sandalwood and white woods.
If You Like Gucci Flora (Gardenia), You’ll Like Moon Carnival by Vilhelm
Everyone loves a springtime floral. If you like any of the Gucci Floras, you’ll like Moon Carnival by Vilhelm. Inspired by a carnival dancer with beautiful golden skin, Moon Carnival is the floral to end all florals with freesia, tuberose, gardenia, and orchid.
If You Like Marc Jacob’s Daisy, You’ll Like BDK’s Bouquet de Hongrie
Marc Jacob’s Daisy. You’ve smelled it wafting by a million times, but do you know what you haven’t smelled a million times? BDK’s Bouquet de Hongrie. Bouquet de Hongrie is a floral bouquet evoking elegance by balancing action and romance. A fragrance composed of the finest floral materials on a precious woody base with musk, amber and cedar.
Explore More Exclusive Niche Fragrances
We hope we’ve helped you foray into niche fragrance at least a little bit. If you’re looking for more unique and tantalizing niche fragrances, check out our extensive niche fragrance collection at Smallflower.com.
